Patti LaBelleinspired me to create the term “Divabetic” during a memorable Luther Vandross Tribute Concert in New York City back in 2003.
Watching her shine on stage, radiant and dressed to impress, she shared, “I have diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t have me.” Her courage and sparkle made me reflect, “You’re not just a diabetic; you’re a DIVA.”
That’s when the idea of “Divabetic” popped into my head. Once I got home, I noted the word ‘diabetic’ in black ink and then creatively added a ‘v’ in red. It suddenly clicked that the ‘v’ symbolized Vandross and the divine divas he loved, like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and of course, Patti LaBelle.
I realized that encouraging Luther’s fans to embrace a fresh perspective (“NEW ATTITUDE”) on living with diabetes—just like Patti did—could really transform health outcomes.
For the past twenty years, Patti LaBelle has shown the world that you can GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS, and live well with diabetes every day.
While I don’t remember Luther discussing his diabetes openly, I knew he had a huge support system for his music, but when it came to managing his health, he faced it on his own. Tragically, he suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes at just 52. But you don’t have to follow that path or choose to walk it alone.
It’s essential to seek help, connect with a caring community, and share your journey. After all, living with diabetes can be fabulous! For over twenty years, I’ve been on this mission, all thanks to the inspiration from Patti LaBelle.
Through the Divabetic programs, podcasts, and videos, I’ve reached hundreds of thousands of men and women, spreading awareness and positivity. Let’s live life like a diva!
It is a privilege to be featured in the NAACP-nominated documentary Luther: Never Too Much and to share my story of discovering Luther after he suffered a stroke related to mismanaged diabetes, hoping to help others avoid a health crisis.
My hope is that by sharing our experiences, we can encourage others to take preventative steps for their health. If you live alone, please make sure you have a solid support system in place for any emergencies.
Remember, if you notice any signs of a stroke, don’t hesitate to seek help right away – taking quick action can really make a difference in your recovery. Let’s look out for each other!
“Fashion is everyday theater,” says Tony Award-winning costumier and fashion designer Bob Mackie, who, at 85, is experiencing a career renaissance. He is still designing clothes for Cher, starring in the new Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion documentary about this life and work, and auctioning off some sketches, historical memorabilia and costumes for Cher, Raquel Welch, Diana Ross, and Diahann Carrol at Julien’s Auction.
“I love doing the work” is how he explained his extraordinary career longevity to fashion insider Fern Mallis at their 92 Y Talk. Bob was joined on stage by Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters, Tony Award Winning costume designer Gregg Barnes, Bob Mackie Design Director Joe McFate, and documentarian Matthew Miele.
“We have been approached to do another documentary, ” said Joe McFate when Fern asked about what led them to make this new documentary with Matthew Miele. However, Matthew’s approach to filming the documentary first and then worrying about selling and distributing it later synced the deal. After watching the film, one can assume that Bob Mackie and Joe McFate are executive producers and have final cut approval. Bob’s professional and personal conflicts are glaring omissions.
During their interview, Bob Mackie admitted that Carmen Miranda, her ruffles and platform shoes, and the film American in Paris fueled his interest in designing costumes as a child.
Bubbly Bernadette Peters said Bob Mackie is great at what he does because ‘you trust him’ as a performer. While working on the Carol Burnett show, she remembered how Bob would watch her scene run through to get ideas and often would come up with costume suggestions to help elevate the comedy with a sight gag. She admitted Bob Mackie has a great sense of humor, beauty, and sensuality; above all, he has taste. That’s what sets him apart and makes him so successful.
Costume Designer Gregg Barnes stole everyone’s heart in the audience, sharing fond memories of Bob Mackie. Bob Mackie mentored Gregg as a teenager about being a costume designer. Gregg recalled that Bob had given him advice that had guided him throughout his career. He said to be curious and kind and do the work to succeed in the business. Gregg alluded that Bob Mackie represents the LGBTQ+ legacy of creative geniuses in the arts.
Director Matthew Miele also directed Scatter My. Ashes At Bergdorf’s and Always At The Carlyle had plenty of material to work from when making the two-hour Naked Truth documentary. At times, the film could be more cohesive. Bob’s origin story is scattered throughout the movie at the oddest times. The viewer is left filling in the blanks regarding Bob Mackie’s personal life. Bob Mackie is guarded and tight-lipped. He can barely admit to being involved with his business partner, Ray Aghayan, an American fashion and costume designer, after his divorce from singer and actress LuLu Porter.
Ray played a pivotal role in Bob’s career. He introduced Bob to Mitzi Gaynor, who hired him as the costume designer for her TV show, which kicked off his career as a costume designer.
Sadly, Ray died in 2011, so Joe McFate is tasked with pulling personal details about their relationship from Bob in a very awkward scene. LuLu appears briefly in the film but never discloses any information about their romance, marriage, or enduring relationship. I would have enjoyed hearing her discuss how their sixty-year relationship transitioned from lovers and spouses to best friends and grandparents.
Sadly, LuLu and Bob are unable to discuss the death of the son, Robin Mackie, who died in 1993 after a history of substance abuse. Their inability to discuss their son sitting at a table with Robin’s daughter is uncomfortable to watch. Although it feels intrusive for Matthew to pry, you can tell he’s desperate to make Bob Mackie less one-dimensional. I was rooting for Matthew to crack the code and get Bob to discuss his son’s death. This tragedy, coupled with his lonely childhood with a despondent mother and hyper-masculine father, seems to fuel his undying desire to masterfully help audiences escape their grim lives and journey into a world of beauty and spectacle.
If there’s more to Bob Mackie’s life than his work, your guess is a good as mine which is a shame. Younger generations have little or no respect for the previous generation’s closeted lives because no one who lived that lifestyle can articulate their struggle. Bob Mackie and other successful gay and bisexual men, Rock Hudson, were forced to live in secret to keep their careers. Unfortunately, their pain, suffering, and struggles sound cliche without personal reflections, insights, and disclosures. People who love Bob Mackie may hate his documentary for not revealing more about his process or his romantic life.
Younger LGBTQ+ viewers, especially, might be disappointed in Matthew and Bob’s inability to discuss his personal life or disclose how his sexuality influenced his work beyond Bob’s midwestern crack about fashion and costume design fields being populated by gay men. Bob is part of the long history of gay and bisexual men creating glamor and feminine allure on screen.
Thankfully, Gregg Barnes masterfully helps the audience connect from the mega-musicals at MGM, Bob’s creations for the Carol Burnett Show, to his stage designs for the Kinky Boots musical. Watching the documentary, you get the sense that CAMP is not going anywhere and, like Cher and cockroaches, will survive long after the rest of us are gone.
Strangely, although Bob Mackie resists and seems to resent being associated as the Master of CAMP, the film opens and closes with Bob, John McFate, and Bob’s publicist attending the MET ‘What is CAMP?” Gala 2019. Yet, Naked Truth does not disappoint sparkle, sequin, rhinestone, and CAMP overs.
The film gives us a glimpse into Bob’s design process and the incredible work of his team of LA-based beaders for Cher’s ABBA-inspired outfit worn on multiple TV appearances. It also treats us to a glorious feast of Bob Mackie’s most iconic CAMP moments for television working with the 70’s most prominent female stars, Cher and Carol Burnett. Carol testifies that Bob’s best-known design, the Scarlett O’Hara dress for the Gone With The Wind sketch, brilliantly captures his wicked sense of humor and superb craftsmanship.
Carol Burnett mentions that Bob Mackie made 1700 costumes while working on her show. Cher admitted in the film that people tuned in to see Bob’s designs for her opening sequences on the Sonny & Cher Show and The Cher Show. Vicki Lawrence said she ran over from the Carol Burnett Show to stand in the wings of the next door Sound stage to see what Cher wore week after week.
The film includes numerous live performances and interviews with divas like Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Mitzi Gaynor, Miley Cyrus, and P!nk in Bob Mackie designs.
Diana Ross’s monstrous ego has long been blamed for the Supremes’ demise. According to sources, it all started because Florence Ballard wasn’t happy when a young ‘Diane’ (Mary Wilson’s favorite Diana Ross jab) Ross was made the lead singer.
Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson’s relationship strained for decades despite their humble beginnings and journey to iconic status.
Florence started the group and was the lead singer, but Berry Gordy wanted Diana to be the lead singer. The dye was cast after they scored their first number-one hit with Diana Ross singing lead. From that moment on, Diana Ross took centerstage. Resentment, anger, or frustration caused Florence to leave the group.
Sadly, after Florence left the Supremes, her life spiraled downward. After leaving the group, she didn’t find gainful employment, and her house was foreclosed. Florence died in 1976 at age 32.
In her books and the media, Mary Wilson was outspoken about her personal and professional conflicts with Diana Ross. Many fans believe their two strong personalities found it challenging to share the spotlight. Mary stated that Diana Ross tried different tactics to separate herself from the group once the Supremes began succeeding. She alleged that Diana would change her costumes to set herself apart. During TV appearances, Ross allegedly stood far away from her group members on stage so the camera would pan to her solo. Mary’s public refusal to join Diana Ross on a Supremes reunion tour due to a disagreement over fees garnered much attention and ill will.
At the time, Mary Wilson alleged that Diana Ross would earn $15-$20 million while she and the others would only pocket $2-$3 million.
However, Smokey Robinson’s recent confession that he had a yearlong affair with Diana Ross makes me wonder if there is more to the story. It appears that most men at Motown thought Diana Ross was ‘hot stuff’. She had sexual relationships with Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye was attracted to her. These men changed the face of pop music. Together, they
made music that defined its era and significantly influenced modern pop and R&B. You have to hand it to Diana Ross for her excellent taste in men.
According to Martha Reeves, the Supremes took a long time to break through. She told the Daily Mail, “They (the Supremes) were desperate for a hit.” Some people will do almost anything when they’re desperate, and some will do nearly anyone. Diana’s affairs with the head of Motown and the label’s most successful songwriter probably helped secure the Supremes better songs and priority over other artists. Mary and Florence professionally benefited from her affairs as members of the Supremes. However, Mary and Florence’s relationships with other labelmates could have suffered. If the other Motown acts knew about Diana Ross’s affairs, they might have lacked respect for Mary, Florence, and Diana. It’s a case of guilt by association. One can assume the others would think the Supremes weren’t offered hit songs because of their talent but because of who she’s sleeping with. If everyone’s fighting for a hit record, but only one woman’s getting the lion’s share because of her love life, it’s easy to see why the others would hate you for being her group member. Is this pure speculation?
For many years, Martha Reeves vied with Diana Ross for the mantle of Motown’s First Lady. Even though Martha Reeves denies they feuded, several stories have reported the contrary.
Sleeping with someone for professional gain doesn’t always mean success.
However, occasionally, it works to blur the lines between professional and personal lives to achieve your goals. There’s no question that it worked for Diana Ross. The most successful men in the music industry were attracted to her. She had the world on a string and the talent to match. No one can deny her triumphs in her Central Park concert or on screen in “Lady Sings The Blues.”
The world of girl groups was an arena of glittering illusions, where the sweet harmonies and coordinated outfits masked the performers’ backstage drama and personal struggles.
The Girl Group phenomenon emerged during a time when male artists dominated music, and this all-female genre of music was a breath of fresh air. The girl groups were created to appeal to the teenage girl demographic, with their high-pitched vocals and lyrics spoke of love and romance.
But behind the scenes, things were not so rosy. The girl groups were mostly created by men who manufactured their names, images, and songs. The performers had little say in these decisions and were often subjected to misogynistic treatment. The notorious Phil Spector was known for his complete control over Ronnie Spector’s life. The girl groups’ success was short-lived, and after achieving colossal success as teenagers, they were quickly dropped by their labels a few years later.
The emergence of Girl Groups right before the Women’s Rights movement raises the question of whether they helped or hindered the challenge against traditional female roles. While their success could be seen as a signal of female empowerment, their songs, primarily focused on finding a man, may have reflected the traditional domestic roles of women as wives and mothers.
As their music lost popularity on radio formats, British acts like the Rolling Stones incorporated elements of the girl group sound into their music, which some argue may have contributed to the genre’s decline. Additionally, the fact that black women backing vocalists have become a mainstay in major Rock and Roll tours raises questions of whether the girl group was a victim of racism and male chauvinism.
The downfall of most girl groups was swift and drastic, with many original members dying young, suffering from substance abuse, or getting pregnant and being replaced. As the decades progressed, cousins, children, or someone in their outer circle would join the group so they could continue to perform. The girl groups’ legacy was tarnished by tales of unrecouped royalties, lawsuits over names and likenesses, and other horror stories.
Today, many of these groups appear in casinos and on Olides circuits. Their wig, girdle, and rhinestone showcases seem cliche. it’s unrealistic to expect someone to look the same way they did 50 years ago. It’s unfair to pressure women to maintain a certain appearance and criticize them if they don’t meet those standards. We should prioritize valuing people for who they are rather than how they look.
We can draw parallels between the challenges faced by girl groups and the struggles of managing one’s health. Getting diagnosed with a life-altering condition like diabetes can be a shock to the system, leaving one feeling defensive, hurt, frustrated, and overwhelmed. The lack of emotional support and proper education often leaves patients feeling blamed by their healthcare providers, leading to complications like stroke, blindness, and amputation rates that continue to rise. Many people give up before even trying to manage their health properly, just like the girl groups were dropped by their record labels after achieving success.
Diana Ross’s iconic performance in Lady Sings The Blues inspires us to discuss the link between diabetes and depression and diabetes distress.
When Diana Ross chose to make her feature film debut playing the role of Billie Holiday in the biopic Lady Sings The Blues; there were more than a few skeptics. The Motown Queen’s solo career started as a slow burn – only one of her four post-Supremes albums to date had made the US Top 40.
Thankfully, she persevered through people’s doubts and the physically and emotionally grueling film production. Her captivating performance on film and record earned her an Academy Award nomination and a #1 solo Pop Album in the US — aptly, on the chart date that would have been Billie’s 58th birthday, April 7, 1973. The double LP features Ross singing gems from the tragic singer’s catalog, such as God Bless The Child, Strange Fruit, and the title song.
Sadly, Billie Holiday had already been gone for 13 years when Lady Sings The Blues was released.
Why Is It Called the Blues?
In the 19th century, the English phrase blue devils referred to the upsetting hallucinations brought on by severe alcohol withdrawal. Over time it was shortened to the blues, which described states of depression and upset, and it was later adopted as the name for the melancholic songs that the musical genre encapsulates.
If you’re feeling blue, symptoms include sadness, lack of sleep, or loss of appetite. Depression has these symptoms and more, including prolonged insomnia, significant weight loss or gain, and extreme fatigue or disinterest in regular activities.
Many people with diabetes struggle with depression. The daily demands of diabetes can be stressful and lead to symptoms of depression. Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may make symptoms of depression worse. Don’t be afraid to seek help.
What Is Diabetes Distress?
According to our friends at Diabetes.UK, diabetes distress is what some people feel when they’re overwhelmed by the relentlessness of diabetes. This can lead to diabetes burnout.
Diabetes distress has been described as worrying about not taking enough care of your diabetes but not feeling motivated to change. Symptoms include avoiding going to appointments or checking your blood sugars, making unhealthy food choices regularly, and feeling alone and isolated.
Many people feel like this sometimes, but you must get help.
Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and became a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and ability to boldly turn any material she confronted into her music made her a superstar of her time.
Today, Billy Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity, and vivacity, as many of Holiday’s songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday’s poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.
Billie Holiday inspires us to talk about the ‘MILESTONES’ related to diabetes wellness with a stellar lineup of guests featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES,Susan Wiener RD, CDCES, Best-Selling Author Brenda Novak, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.
This Divabetic podcast features music from across Billie Holiday‘s extraordinary career, including What A Little Moonlight Can Do, Them There Eyes, That Ole Devil Called Love, Blue Moon, Strange Fruit, God Bless the Child, and more courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson, are known as the singing-songwriting duo Crystal Penny. Their timeless R&B tune is brought to life by Crystal and Penni’s trademark vocal harmonies, an engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas.
Standards’ catchy hook is a list of famous divas’ names, including Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, Phyllis Hyman, and Patti LaBelle. These women taught higher standards of romance to generations of Quiet Storm listeners.
Many of these legendary ladies’ personal and professional journeys hit close to home to the Wilson sisters. “The women mentioned in the song are our icons,” says Crystal Blackmon Wilson. “We grew up listening to Sarah Vaughan and idolized Etta James and Dionne Warwick. These women inspired us to sing in the first place.”
Crystal and Penni understand how love songs affect the way we love, live, and interact with one another. “Our favorite vocalists express the grand illusion of what love should be and what we should feel,” Penni adds. “We hear it on the radio and strive to find it in our lives.”
Already embraced by UK audiences, Crystal Penny’s new single, Standards, is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the group name The Lovations) that have gone viral and will be available on all music app platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
Crystal Blackmon Wilson and Penni Wilson began their singing career known as The Lovations. They wrote and performed a string of original classical soul hits that recently went viral.
Their immortal hit, the Lovations‘ I Keep Singing (La La La Ooh), gains 1,000 new listens each month on Spotify. They don’t know who uploaded their songs to Spotify and YouTube, but they were shocked to see how many people enjoyed them. They hope a promoter will bring them to Europe to share the new and old material with fans.
Since then, they have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit “Practice What You Preach.” The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, “Flex & Shanice,” starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson, her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.
It is a thrill to find that our song, Crystal Penny’s new single, STANDARDS, jumped from #5 (last week) to #3 on the OfficialBCfm Soul Chart countdown this week.
STANDARDS is my tribute to the leading ladies of R&B and Soul Music whose timeless classics captured my heart’s ideals of love listening to the Quiet Storm. The song’s catchy chorus features the names of Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, and Dionne Warwick.
Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson collaborated with producer Ivan Hampden Jr. and lyricist Max Szadek to write STANDARDS. Crystal’s daughter, Shanice Wilson, lent her voice to the background vocals. The song is a timeless R&B tune brought to life by Penni and Crystal’s trademark vocal harmonies, an engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas.
Thank you to DJ Tony Griffin and BCFM Radio for embracing Crystal Penny’s STANDARDSas much as I do. I am overjoyed! STANDARDSwill be available on all music streaming apps on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Crystal Penny’s new single is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the name The Lovations)that have gone viral and will be available on all music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
The core sentiment of their single is a celebration of many of the greatest female vocalists of all time, who sang with their hearts on the Quiet Storm. Many of these icons’ personal and professional journeys hit close to home to the Wilson sisters. “The women mentioned in the song are legends to my sister and me,” says Penni Wilson. “We grew up listening to Sarah Vaughan and idolized Etta James and Dionne Warwick. They inspired us to sing in the first place.”
Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson understand that love songs affect the way we love, live, and interact with one another. “Our favorite vocalists express the grand illusion of what love should be and what we should feel,” Penni adds. “We hear it on the radio and strive to find it in our lives.”
Crystal Penny is the dynamic duo of singer-songwriter sisters Crystal and Penni Wilson, who have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit Practice What You Preach. The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, Flex & Shanice, starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson (best known for her megahit I Love Your Smile, her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.
Growing up in a family of gifted singers, the Wilson sisters started singing at a young age. With music in their souls, they continue to thrive after five decades of brilliant song.
There’s nothing more thrilling than hearing your music on the radio!
Yesterday, my new song, STANDARDS, by the dynamic duo CRYSTAL PENNY (sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson), produced by Ivan Hampden Jr., was featured on Richard Marzetti’s Soul Life program on Solar Radio Radio, the UK’s #1 music station bringing you soul, jazz, funk, soulful house, R&B, disco and more.
CRYSTAL PENNY began their career known as The Lovations with a string of original classical soul hits that recently went viral. Since then, they have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit Practice What You Preach.
The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, Flex & Shanice, starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson (best known for her megahit, I Like Your Smile), her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.
Growing up in a family of gifted singers, the sisters started harmonizing at a young age. With music in their souls, they continue to thrive after five decades of brilliant song.
STANDARDS is a timeless R&B tune brought to life by CRYSTAL PENNY‘s trademark vocal harmonies, engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas. Already embraced by UK audiences, CRYSTAL PENNY’s new single is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the name The Lovations) that have gone viral.
A 90s dating experience from my years living in San Francisco inspired the song’s lyrics when I discovered how the sentiments expressed in our favorite songs shape our thoughts and expectations about love.
I’ll have much more to share about the song and the talented collaborators I worked with when STANDARDS is released in mid-April on all music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
You can hear STANDARDS on Soul Life (1:16 mark). Click on the LINK to LISTEN NOW
Earlier this summer, the song Mama’s Kitchen Table by Ivan Hampden Jr. featuring Paulette McWilliams was a new entry on the UK Soul Chart debuting at #15.
Paulette and I co-wrote the lyrics and Ivan produced the track.
The three of us met while working for Luther Vandross. Ivan Hampden Jr. was Luther’s drummer, Paulette McWilliams was one of his backing vocalists, and I was his assistant.
Before working for Luther, Paulette was in The American Breed who later became Rufus, and she introduced Chaka Khan to them to take her place. She sang with Quincy Jones, featured on Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” and has toured with Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and so many others. She was a guest on Richard Marzetti’s Solar Radio show on June 3, 2022. Click HERE to listen.
Ivan Hampden Jr. is a four-time Grammy winner and, as well as Luther’s albums, has appeared on albums by Ashford & Simpson, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Beyonce,Mavis Staple, and Ann Nesby to name some of the more famous ones.
After Luther’s stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I founded the nonprofit, Divabetic in 2003. Since then, I have reached thousands of at-risk people affected by and living with diabetes through live events, videos, and podcasts. I was thrilled to return to music with my friends, Ivan and Paulette. Seeing Mama’s Kitchen Table on the UK Soul Charts brought me so much joy. It was an unexpected but equally enchanting moment in an unforgettable Summer.
I’m also thrilled to announce the three of us teamed up again to write the new Christmas song, Pink Champagne, coming out in late Fall.
“Pink Champagne is dedicated to anyone experiencing a painful heartbreak during the holidays,” says Paulette McWilliams.
Breakups are hard. But the holidays seem to magnify the loneliness of heartache: parties with everyone coupled up, romantic Christmas music and movies, and those annual Christmas letters brimming with friends’ burgeoning families. The airwaves are filled with upbeat holiday classics leaving little room for sadness and contemplation.
Pink Champagneis a story of a woman’s journey from victim to victor at Christmastime. A mindset that Paulette believes can help someone with a broken heart find fulfillment.
“You can’t experience the joy of the holidays unless you let go of the painful emotions instead of holding them in,” she says. “I hope Pink Champagne helps people who are hurting be able to move on.”
Nancy Wilson’s Guess Who I Saw Today and Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Litte Boy inspired my lyrics and story.
A true classic, Guess Who I Saw Today was written by Murray Grand with lyrics by Elisse Boyd. The delicious, dignified, and elegant Nancy Wilson’s storytelling ability remains unsurpassed. Her timeless tone and delivery satisfy Jazz lovers of all generations.
For the first Lady of Blue Note, Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Little Boy lifted her career to new heights. Her dash of wit and attitude provide a virtual tour de force, a classic moment of 1970’s soul. Marlena’s recording is one part hilarious stand-up routine (a la Millie Jackson or Patti Labelle) and one part slow-jam mood music.
Mary Wilson, from the Supremes, who sang with Diana Ross on eternal hits like “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love,“ has died at age 76.
https://youtu.be/ZAWSiWtUK2s
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supreme,” Gordy said in a statement. “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.,” Barry Gordy, Motown Records’ founder, expressed his sadness at the loss of a music luminary told Rolling Stone. “Mary Wilson was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed.”
Mary Wilson began her career in Detroit in 1959 as a singer in a group called the Primettes that went on to become The Supremes, with members Diana Ross and Florence Ballard.
Mary Wilson stayed in the public eye up until very recently, appearing on the TV Show Dancing With the Stars and releasing her fourth book, Supreme Glamour.
Her publicist, Jay Schwartz, confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone, but did not reveal a cause of death.
Luther Vandross loved the Supremes and their music! Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and the Supremes sit on his personal Mount Rushmore reported the New York Times. His twist was that he frequently emulated female singers with his voice – a synthesis of Franklin’s gospel fire, Dionne Warwick’s impeccable intonation and diction and Diana Ross’s yearning, which he then effortlessly glided from robust baritone to tremulous tenor.
We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.
Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr., Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE. Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.